“ Blasphemy–‘ Book of Mormon,’ alias The Golden Bible.” Roch
“ Blasphemy–‘ Book of Mormon,’ alias The Golden Bible.” Rochester Daily Advertiser ( New
York) ( 2 April 1830).
BLASPHEMY—“ BOOK OF MORMON,” alias THE GOLDEN BIBLE.
The “ Book of Mormon” has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never
practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and credulity, shocking to the Christian and
moralist. The “ author and proprietor” is one “ Joseph Smith, jr.”– a fellow who, by some hocus
pocus, acquired such an influence over a wealthy farmer of Wayne county, that the latter
mortgaged his farm for $ 3000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of the
blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages, and is divided into the books of
Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman.—“ Copy right
secured!” The style of the work may be conjectured from the “ preface” and “ testimonials” which
we subjoin. . . .